It helps you learn about your sexual desires and what works for you sexually.

It can help reduce stress levels.

It can increase the ability to achieve orgasms.

It can prevent and relieve menstrual cramps.

It can improve self-esteem.

It can strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

It can help treat sexual dysfunction.

“Today we have greater knowledge and understanding about masturbation being a healthy sexual practice, and we know that 95% of men and 89% of women masturbate,”sexologist Joanne Bagshaw, PhD, a psychology and women’s studies professor at Montgomery College, tells saludmóvil™.

“However, some of the effects of thinking of masturbation as a moral failure or mental illness are still felt, particularly for women,” she adds.

“There has been a cultural shift in more acceptance of men’s masturbation practices, but sadly a double standard exists for women’s sexuality. For instance,a majority of college-aged women feel confused about whether or not masturbating is normal.”

Speaking of that…wouldn’t some argue masturbation is wrong?

There are plenty of ways people have been made to feel masturbation is not good.

It’s a story almost as old as the concept of masturbation itself; someone, somewhere, has probably told you masturbating is bad for you.

You Might Also Like

“Historically, Christian churches forbade masturbation for both men and women, as they opposed any sexual practice that didn’t result in procreation, therefore labeling masturbation a mortal sin,” notes Bagshaw.

Think you’ve got it bad now? Bagshaw says that in the 19th century, companies like Kelloggs pushed a bland diet (corn flakes, or graham crackers anyone?) under the belief that spicy or flavorful food might lead to sexual desire.

Doctors would also perform clitoridectomies on women and confine children and teens in straightjackets to eliminate masturbation practices.

When is masturbation bad for your health?

Even though there are a number of reasons why masturbation is good for your mental and sexual health, like any good thing, you can have too much of it.

“Generally speaking, masturbation is a healthy, positive behavior with many benefits such as stress reduction, increased awareness of one’s sexuality, and an overallimprovement of one’s health,” says Bagshaw.

“If someone is masturbating compulsively, or in a manner that makes it very difficult to orgasm with a partner — men, thinkdeath grip syndrome — then these behaviors could be of some concern,” she cautions.

Bottom line: If masturbating is interfering with your daily activities and lifestyle and your sexual life in general, you may need to re-evaluate how much time you’re spending with yourself.

There are such things as compulsive masturbation and masturbation addiction; if you can’t go without masturbating, even for important events, it may be time to see a doctor or sexologist.

Masturbation guilt?

Among the biggest health issues related to masturbation is something which isn’t really an issue with the act itself — it comes from the guilt some people feel over masturbating.

If you’re feeling confused about whether or not masturbation is bad for you, if you feel guilty about exploring your body, or if you are unsure how to start your self-exploration journey, talk to your doctor. It may be difficult or embarrassing to bring up the subject at first, but a trusted and compassionate doctor will be able to give you advice without judgement.